With more and more traffic jam around the road, bicycling has been called for as an effective way to alleviate congestion as well as improve the air bells quality. However, there raises a problem challenging this eco-friendly vehicle alternative: the weather condition.

Many weather-depended amateur cyclists would abandon their bike during winter when temperature drops to 5 degree or during summer at temperature above 25 degree. As a matter of fact, most of them would be in favor of temperature at about 15 degree.

Cold air impact is usually increased by wind. The below graph shows that if one cycle at 0℉at about 5m/s, the cooling effect is almost the same as the condition at about -20 degree. And since such curves are not linear, the impact seems worse as the wind gets colder.

While at higher temperature, the humidity becomes extremely important. As the temperature increases, the cycling behavior becomes harder, because human being are suffering a dehydration condition, which make them unwilling to continue the bicycling.

The cycling quality is usually testified by the way how the cycling momentum is behaving. For instance, if the cyclist is cycling on a flat stretch at a very high speed, and then all of a sudden, there encounters an uphill stretch. At the very beginning, the former high speed will aid the uphill behavior for a certain moment, nevertheless, once the cycling momentum is spent, either you have to switch to a lower gear or pedal industriously to keep the speed constant. The point at which the momentum fails replies on how long and how steep the road is.

Another potential aspect which will influence the cycling momentum is aerodynamic and the vehicle weight. These factors are the inner elements which is determined artificially as the former is influenced by the shape of the vehicle as well as the cycling speed, while the latter is impacted by either the manufacturing material or the cyclist himself.

Well, what is your opinion on the issue of cycling momentum?
reference：http://lovelybike.blogspot.be/2011/04/uphill-momentum.html

Daymak’s new shadow ebike is a totally wireless. The entire electrical system integrates the battery, the electric motor, the magnetic regenerative brakes, the throttle, and the pedal-assist functions. Daymak plans to offer the shadow ebike with a choice if 250W or 350W electric motor, which provide a 12-15 miles range as a “pure electric vehicle”, or 22-25 miles in pedal-assist mode.

The feature I like most is the USB port in the ebike. You can charge your iPhone, iPad or other similar device when pedaling.

While, of course, the drawback is the price. It costs around 1450 euros. And I think the other drawback is that when some components inside the sealing part are broken, it is hard to repair.

In this post, I will give you a general idea about what you mainly need when you convert your regular bicycle into an electric bicycle.

The first component you need is the motor. Normally, it ranges from 200 watts to 1000 watts. While most electric bicycles don’t need a bigger motor than 500 watts, since the law sets the maximum speed at 25km/h for electric bicycle. Modern electric bikes have motors built into their wheels. For example, brushless hub motor have a longer life expectancy (compared with magnetic brushes) and it is the bottom bracket motor. In other words, it turns the pedal instead of the wheel, so the rider feels a little more in tune with the motor, rather than feeling pushed or pulled by an external force.

The second component is the battery. In the last ten years, the most common battery used in electric bicycle is Sealed Lead Acid battery. This is the same battery in a lawnmower, golf cart, or go cart. Due to the need of lighter battery and longer range, Lithium batteries come to the stage. It can run for 20-30 miles on a single charge.

The last component is control unit. If you don’t want to pedal at all, just add a throttle. If you don’t want to drain battery quickly, pedal-assist control is an option. For instance, if you select “MODE 3”, you will get 50% power from the motor.

If you want to improve your health, lose weight, or get in shape, what would be your choice, bicycle or electric bicycle?

In my opinion, for starting your exercise, electric bicycle is a better idea than bicycle. There are two types of electric bicycle, power-on-demand and power-assist. If you choose power-on-demand electric bicycle, when you are at the tail-end of your stamina, just click on the power and you will be able to get back to where you need to go. If you select power-assist electric bicycle, this kind of electric bicycle will do about 50% of the work for you so you can lose weight and build up stamina by gradually building up the distance you travel.

Another advantage of electric bicycle is that there are a kind of electric bicycle, when you pedaling, you also can charge the battery at the same time. Hence, it is a win-win situation, doing the exercise and saving the energy.

Greenway, as its name suggested, is a line-shape green open space, constructing along streamside, railway, trench etc. It is as well a landscape path connecting main roads, natural reserve areas, and scenic spots, however, only being available for wandering and cycling. This kind of green corridor has been very successful in Guangdong, China. Guess now what is in my mind, I am wondering what if greenway is developed in Belgium?

There is no doubt that Belgium set a very good example for cycle tracks, however, such track always disappear in remote areas. And in light of the abundant natural idyllic scenery of Belgium, it will be a very smart idea to construct a systematic greenway along Belgium. The greenway could be based on the current route of cycle tracks, and expand to trench, countryside, till other cities. It not only provides residents chances to experience the nature but creates harmony to the environment.

What if we have renting spots for electric bicycles beside the train station? I think that would be a great idea.

Imagine that, you just get off the train, and you are so tired that you want to reach your home as soon as possible. Renting an electric bicycle would be a nice idea. Taking the bus may also be another option, but you have to wait for a certain period (maybe the bus is just cancelled because the buses go on strike). When the weather is freezing cold, waiting for the bus will be a horrible experience. Anyway, I have many bad memories of waiting for the bus… Another reason is, there are many uphill and downhill in Leuven (and also other cities in Belgium), and owning/renting an electric bicycle can do you a favor to ride more easily.

The drawback or the problem we still need to solve is that we have to build infrastructures, such as the parking spots and charge stations. And you have to keep an eye on the electric bicycle you rent, there is a risk that it will be stolen…